“It was just a minor fall, I will be alright.” How many of us have heard this from one of our loved ones after they have fallen and hit their head. How many of us say to ourselves, “ I wonder if this is minor or maybe we should be checked out by someone”. 85% of all brain injuries are concussions and the most common cause of a mild Traumatic Brain Injury is a fall regardless of your age. This statistic alone should concern us when someone we love falls.
What are some signs of a concussion to watch for after we fall and hit our heads:
The elderly are more likely to be admitted to the hospital for observation, especially if other injuries occurred during the fall. However, family members should maintain more frequent contact and observation for several weeks after the elderly fall since some serious consequences can occur weeks afterward. A good example of this is if you are on blood thinners it can increase the likelihood of a slow bleed on the brain. It is important to seek immediate medical attention if there is a significant/abrupt change in cognitive or physical abilities of our loved one.
When we seek medical attention it is important to let the medical professional know what other medical conditions and medication our loved one is taking. Some symptoms of concussion such as dizziness, balance and memory issues can be mistaken as being a part of the “norm” due to our age, when in fact it is a result of the concussion from the fall. If the symptoms do not diminish after 2-3 weeks it is important to consult with a healthcare professional trained in concussion management.
General recovery suggestions include:
Remember a fall can result in a concussion which is considered a mild Traumatic Brain Injury and their effects can be serious and impact an individual’s life long after the injury.
What does the Research say about the elderly and concussion/mild TBI management?